WVOC News

Baby Left at Hospital under Daniel's Law

A mother left a newborn in the care of Lexington Medical Center Wednesday under the provisions of the Safe Haven for Abandoned Babies Act, or Daniel's Law.

The infant is now in the custody of the state Department of Social Services, which says Baby Boy Doe is a healthy white male who weighs seven pounds, nine ounces.

DSS will hold a planning hearing for foster care and adoption in Lexington Family Court on November 20th.

Anyone wishing to assert parental rights regarding the child must do so at that hearing.

DSS spokeswoman Kathleen Goetzman says since Daniel's Law was passed in 2000, 20 unwanted babies have been placed into safe custody instead of possibly being injured or worse from illegal abandonment.

“Daniel's Law protects the safety of the infant, no matter what the situation is with the mother and father,” Goetzman explains.

“So it's that safety net that in the first 30 days the mother or some other adult can bring the baby to a medical center or a house of worship or a fire station or a police station, as long as they're manned – that's the important thing.”

Daniel's Law allows a parent to legally abandon a newborn “no-questions-asked” and without prosecution if the infant is unharmed.

However, it's requested that medical information about the baby be shared if possible.

Daniel's Law is named after a baby who survived after being buried in a landfill soon after his birth.